Palm Island Centenary Celebrations

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council is celebrating the 100th anniversary of occupation on the Island this year and the official launch will be held in January. The celebrations will be delivered over 12 months and divided into the three categories of Past, Present and Future, and the is working with three separate organising committees made up of local residents who have volunteered to organise the program of activities for each segment.

Regina James, IKC Coordinator of the Bwgcolman Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) on Palm Island is a member of the ‘Past’ organising committee which will produce an exhibition installed in 4 shipping containers on display until December. Through the IKC, Palm Island Council will showcase an exhibition on the history of the establishment of Palm Island penal colony, which is a testament to the passion and perseverance of the IKC Coordinator. Ms James has carried out research and curatorial activities using extensive local content from Queensland State Archives, James Cook University (JCU), AIATSIS and National War Memorial.

In addition, the exhibition has been developed with assistance from a number of State Library of Queensland Portfolios including: Queensland Memory, Collection Preservation and Indigenous and Regional Library Services.

As part of the professional development and mentoring services provided by the Public Library Partnerships Portfolio, SLQ is continuing to assist Bwgcolman IKC and Palm Island Council with additional support including identifying other key stakeholders to provide technical advice in the installation and presentation of the historical exhibition; enhancing the presentation and breadth/content of the exhibition using SLQ content; and supporting the look and feel of the existing exhibition of Palm Island content.

SLQ is also collaborating with Palm Island Council to celebrate the anniversary and showcase the history of Palm Island with a program of activities at South Bank to be confirmed later this month. For more information, please contact Indigenous and Regional Library Services on (07) 40 425 200 or Regina James, IKC Coordinator, Bwgcolman IKC on (07) 4770 0260.